Curated OER
Vertebrates
Fifth graders examine the traits and characteristics of vertebrates. Identifying the key factors that make the classes of vertebrates unique, they create a children's book. They decide which material is necessary to share about the...
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Classifying Vertebrates
Second graders study animal characteristics and classification. In this animal characteristics and classifications lesson, 2nd graders determine how to classify vertebrates which include mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish....
Curated OER
Through the Eyes of an Owl
Students describe vertebrates in terms of observable body parts and characteristics and describe life cycles of familiar organisms. They identify familiar organisms as part of a food chain or food web and describe their feeding...
Curated OER
Vertebrates And Invertebrates
In this science lesson, students classify pictures into categories of vertebrates or invertebrates. After a class discussion, students divide into groups, and are given plastic baggies that contain photographs of each. The groups must...
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What Lives In A Shell?
Second graders study the readily observable characteristics of marine invertebrates, 2nd graders research the invertebrates and complete worksheets in this series of lessons.
Curated OER
Be Brain Smart
Students examine the function of the brain. Using the internet, they research facts of the brains of vertebrates. Using clay, they make three sculptures of brains of different vertebrates and use crayola colors to color it. To end the...
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Is It Slimy? Does It Have Fur? Is It Really a Bird?
Sixth graders identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural...
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Animal Classification
Students list characteristics and features of animals found in their community. They then group the animals according to how they are similar and different and create names for each group. They then create a chart of their...
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Animal Diversity
Students explore biology by completing science worksheets in class. In this animal anatomy instructional activity, students read the book The Adventures of Marco and Polo and identify the animals mentioned in it. Students examine a real...
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Pupils classify animals. In this animal classification lesson, students identify characteristics from each of the 5 categories of vertebrates. Pupils group animals by categories.
California Academy of Science
Fish Forms
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you can add art to any lesson! While little learners are discovering why fish have specific body parts such as, scales, fins, and gills, they start making three-dimensional fish forms. Children...
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Whales
First graders investigate two different types of whales; toothed and baleen. They describe what the different types of whale eat. They listen to a cassette of Dyan Sheldon's, The Whale Song before making stick puppets to dramatize the...
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Let Me Tell You About My Favorite Animal
Students create books about their favorite animals using graphic organizers.
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Creating a Classification System
Students create classification system for Arctic-dwelling animals, the Arctic hare in particular.
Curated OER
4th Grade Life Science Unit: Animals
Fourth graders classify animals. In this animal kingdom lesson, 4th graders research animal habitats and behaviors. Students connect to a zoologist via SKYPE and learn about animal classification. Students blog about preserving animal...
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Soak it up
Young scholars complete a hands on activity using hard boiled eggs, food coloring, tape, cups, water, and a knife to show how permeability affects animals. For this permeability lesson plan, students complete this activity and learn how...
Curated OER
Crustacean Critters
Students explore the habitats of hermit crabs. In this crustacean lesson, students discover what animals need to survive. Working with live hermit crabs, students explore how hermit crabs have adapted to their habitats.
Curated OER
Animal Brochures
Fourth graders work in pairs to research an animal. They fill in an animal data form in order to become experts about the animal they choose. They use the listed criteria to design a six sided brochure that includes graphics of the...